Cycling The Dalmatian Coast of Croatia

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 41 reviews.

Graham Bennett

CYCLING THE DALMATIAN COAST

Written September 2012
Croatia is a truly beautiful country and biking around is a fantastic way to appreciate the views. The Dalmation coast is stunning with the route being challenging in some areas but anybody with a general level of fitness will manage it.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Being with a member of the group who was in their early 70s being in the lead group for the whole week. It made me want to keep on going and inspired me to keep my fitness levels up so that life remains sweet and fun.
What did you think of your group leader?
Ana was wonderful and looked after everybody in the group through ups and downs (no puns intended). She was very supportive and made sure we were all enjoying ourselves. The lunch and dinner locations Ana choose for us were really enjoyable.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Don't be afraid of wearing lycra - you need it for 5 days in the saddle. The bikes were really good but if you have a comfy saddle at home bring it with you........!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This was our first holiday with Exodus and it excelled our expectations. The organisation was superb and everything went according to plan (where nearly - large trucks hogging the ferry excluded)! Word of advice make sure you make allowances for meals and don't expect Croatia to be the bargain you might think it to be.
Françoise Redoutet

CYCLING THE DALMATIAN COAST

Written July 2012
A well balanced and varied week of cycling, swimming and sight-seeing amongst some breathtaking scenery.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Island-hopping, taking our bicycles on various ferries, and especially our optional day on Miljet when we cycled around the lake and found a little paradise at the end of the track where we swam in crystal clear turquoise waters...
What did you think of your group leader?
Ana was very much in control of the group and excellent at organising everything including restaurant bills which can be a headache! She has a strong personality but she was also sensitive to other people's wishes and needs, and did all she could to accomodate everyone. Great sense of humour too, and very supportive with people cycling at the back. A group leader one will remember.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be prepared for some tough uphills at times, especially on hot summer days and as soon as your first day, but the freewheel downhills are exhilarating and make it all worhwhile! A real adrenaline rush...
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Croatia and its islands are a little paradise and it is great to admire all the work and repair done to the damaged buildings during the recent conflict. I just hope mass tourism is not going to overwhelm its coasts and pollute its beaches and eventually spoil it as it has in other parts of the world.
Catherine Bremer

CYCLING THE DALMATIAN COAST

Written July 2012
Amazing views of the Adriatic help with the tough climbs on this trip, and the thought of jumping in the sea at the end has you sailing down the descents. A really exhilarating trip with varied routes and fun downhill curves. You are continually breathing in the scent of lavender fields and pine trees which is absolute bliss.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
All the downhills felt inspirational. Other top moments included stacking the bikes on the roof of a boat to go island-hopping, a fish barbeque on board which was cooked using a blow-torch and all of us jumping one by one off the roof of said boat. Another one was deciding at the end of another long, sweltering ride that it was ok to strip down to sports bra and inner shorts to jump in the sea! Totally liberating.
What did you think of your group leader?
Great fun, bubbly and enthusiastic but above all extremely strict about safety so you knew you were in good hands. A dab hand at fixing punctures too.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
As a newcomer to cycling I found I needed to wear two pairs of padded shorts most days and was very happy I'd brought a camelbak and (don't laugh) a fan for the hot evenings. I took a couple of extra days at the end as Dubrovnik (and all Croatia) is just too fascinating a place to do in a day. Some of us also went down to Montenegro at the end. Otherwise, it can all flash by a bit too quickly what with physical fatigue and the quick pace of the trip. I was also glad I travelled with a backpack, rather than suitcase as some did, and make sure you leave some space to bring back local olive oil and grappa.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Be warned that these trips are addictive, I am now hooked...
Alastair Roots

CYCLING THE DALMATIAN COAST

Written July 2012
Great group, Great guide, Great country. The weather was hot! This made a swim in crystal clear waters at the end of the day even better!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
After some long climbs, the joy of a downhill through stunning countryside. Olive groves and Vineyards
The last 20km to Sucuraj and the final days ride around Korcula were my favourites.
The trip to the Mljet National Park is a must. Swim in the clearest water I have ever seen!
The meals at Pupnat and the Homestead were by far the best of the trip.
What did you think of your group leader?
Ana was great. Probably one of the best cycling guides I have met. She can heard cats! Sixteen of them!
Her instruction are VERY clear. LISTEN to them. Some of the downhills are very narrow. We did come across some cars coming the other way! So when she says go slow. G
Her humour very dry! An amazing ambassador to Croatia.
My only suggestion would maybe to produce some simple maps of the daily rides. With turning points and distances. With sixteen people it can sometimes be difficult to hear instructions.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Croatia is not cheap. I would work on the upper guide of £35 a day at least.
The best food and wine we had was at Pupnat and the homestead. All home made.
Some of the food in the restaurants was a bit dissapointing. Most of the wine seemed to be watered down. Stick to beer!
July is hot! Most of the hotels are basic and clean. If fans could be added to some of them that would be great.
I use a Camel pack which is great. If you are using a water bottle make sure it is a good size. You will drink a lot of water!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
There is a direct flight from Dubrovnik back to Gatwick with Easyjet at about 11:00 which I didn't know about. The group flight via Zagreb leaves at 6:25 so a 4:00 transfer! We didn't go to bed!
This a great trip. Only a week. All the other trips I have been on were two weeks and I wish I had stayed on longer.
Suzanne Clarke

CYCLING THE DALMATIAN COAST

Written June 2012
Croatia is a beautiful unspoilt country. Thoroughly enjoyed the road cycling, was a bit more nervous on the off road sections as I hadn't ridden on gravel before.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Loved all the different bits. The island of Hvar was very pretty as was Miljet. Loved the 2 longer days on the bike which are the first 2 days. Great to see Dubrovnik after all the restoration too.
What did you think of your group leader?
Very calm, capable and great company. Kept the group together despite differing ability levels.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Try some off roading before you go so you are confident on different surfaces.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I would like to see a difficulty comparison between trips of supposedly the same level of difficulty. The Amalfi and Dalmatian Coast trips are both moderate but Amalfi was much harder than Croatia.
Austin Sutton

CYCLING THE DALMATIAN COAST

Written June 2012
A great holiday that provided some great experiences, but more importantly many pleasant memories.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Completing some challenging climbs, and once at the top enjoying some terrific views of the Dalmatian coast with newly found friends.
What did you think of your group leader?
Absolutely terrific. Nice guy, a good leader on the road, and a good leader in the evenings.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If your not 100% sure whether this type of holiday is your thing, take the plunge as most likely you'll be left wondering why you didn't go before now.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I'll go again.
John Duxbury

CYCLING THE DALMATIAN COAST

Written June 2012
Superb scenery, excellent guide and enjoyable cycling makes this a top trip
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There were so many good features of this holiday that it is impossible to pick out one moment.
What did you think of your group leader?
Oustanding: calm, boyish charm makes him an excellent leader. Also picked out some very good restaurants to take us to at lunchtime and in the evenings.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Get yourself on this trip if you can as there will be few better trips. If you are a particularly fit cyclist have a week at a gentler pace because the scenery is spectacular and the weather is almost certain to be good. If you are put off by the "Moderate" label try and get some practice in so you can feel comfortable booking yourself on to this trip. The longest distance was about 55 km so it is not so far. The hills are long rather than steep but you can always ride in the minibus and skip the long hills if they are too much for you.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Hard to improve upon this holiday although some in the group would have liked to spend longer cycling and some would have liked fewer undulations: you can't please everyone all of the time! If in doubt, go for it!